History, description and characteristics of the Gift of Irina grape variety, features of cultivation and care

Fruitful grapes, an early ripening hybrid Podarok Irina was selected on the basis of the table varieties Kesha and Elegant, popular among winegrowers. The variety requires protection in winter, as well as from fungal and infectious diseases. But if you follow simple rules of cultivation and care, a gardener can grow a medium-sized bush with clusters of pink elongated grapes weighing up to 1500 g.

Description of the grape variety Gift to Irina

Description of grapes:

• the bush is medium-sized, with an average level of foliage;
• the leaf blades are broad-lobed, smooth, the color is bright, deep green;
• under normal conditions, the shoots and vines do not have time to ripen along their entire length, the edges remain green;
• the shape of the clusters with berries is cone-shaped, average weight is from 800 g;
• the brush is densely packed with berries, cases of grape peas are excluded;
• The berries are tightly and firmly attached to the bunch, so fruit fall does not occur during transportation.

Brief history of origin

The hybrid grape variety Gift to Irina was bred by Kharkov breeder Vishnevetsky based on the parental qualities of the white table grape varieties Kesha and Elegant. These large-fruited varieties gave the hybrid all their positive qualities.

What is good and what are the disadvantages

Among the advantages, according to gardeners, there are several qualities of the hybrid:

• the variety is resistant to cracking of berries if watering rules are followed;
• not subject to crushing, peas;
• the berries in the cluster grow to approximately the same size;
• bushes can withstand low temperatures, but to protect the vine it is better to cover it with shields for the winter;
• resistant to gray rot, rarely affected by mildew;
• is able to preserve the taste and beauty of the brush during long-term transportation and storage.

The disadvantages, but very controversial, of this grape include:

• when growing grapes in harsh winter conditions, you will need to cover the bushes according to the full scheme;
• the variety is susceptible to phylloxera;
• susceptible to attacks by wasps and birds.

Characteristics of the variety

Among the characteristics, there are 3 main qualities of the hybrid.

Productivity

The level of yield depends on compliance with the rules for implementing agrotechnical measures and timely control of diseases. Under normal conditions, the gardener removes 12-15 kg of berries from 1 bush. The plant does not require additional pollinators when flowering; it produces male and female flowers.

Frost resistance

The hybrid is able to withstand short frosts up to 23 ⁰C, but for protection the vine requires additional shelter. For these purposes, it is not recommended to use polyethylene and other dense materials; it is enough to build a canopy from boards or old roofing felt. This protects the bushes from rotting the vines during sudden thaws.

Taste characteristics

The variety has excellent taste characteristics. The taste of the berries is not cloying, sweet and sour, and a faint taste of nutmeg is added to the aroma. In terms of consistency, the fruit pulp is dense, juicy, but without excess water. The average weight of one grape is from 15 g. The shape is oval, slightly elongated in length. The dense skin of the berries, covered with a waxy coating, has a pinkish color with the addition of a burgundy tint.

The berries are consumed fresh, but grapes can be used to make all kinds of jams or juice.

Many gardeners claim that these grapes are also suitable for making wine, but no tests have been carried out on this quality of the variety; it is considered table grapes.

What to pay attention to when landing

Like many varieties, the hybrid Gift to Irina is best planted in an area with loamy or chernozem soil. The acidity level should not exceed the 3% threshold. The plant is demanding of sunlight, so choose an open place for planting, but without constant drafts.The maximum height of a seedling is up to 700 mm.

When purchasing, be sure to pay attention to the obligatory condition of grafting the crop onto a rootstock; such a plant has the best characteristics of resistance to pests and diseases.

In advance of planting seedlings, holes are dug in marked areas, the depth of which is up to 600 mm and the width from 500 mm. The top fertile layer of soil is mixed with 3-5 kg ​​of manure, 200 g of superphosphate and 300 g of ash are added. The bottom of the pit is filled with a 100 mm layer of broken brick or expanded clay for drainage, then a layer of nutritious soil is filled in, pouring it into a slide. A seedling is placed on the mountain, each root is carefully and carefully straightened and the roots are gradually covered with prepared soil.

The hole is filled with 20-30 liters of water, the seedling is slightly raised and completely filled with soil. You need to leave a 50 mm distance at the top and cover it with a layer of mulch. The minimum gap between plants is 4 m.

Agricultural technology

To ensure normal conditions for the growth and development of grape bushes, the gardener is obliged to carry out a number of mandatory measures to care for the plants.

Cutting and tying up the vine

Bush pruning is carried out 2 times a year. The first is sanitary, performed in early spring, after the bushes open. During this period, damaged or dead shoots are removed. The second one is the main one. This work is carried out in the pre-winter period. The formation of vines and shoots is carried out. The stems are left to bear fruit and replace, and the main vine is formed. This pruning affects the growth of the bush and the level of fruiting.

Important! A gardener who leaves long shoots in the hope of a large harvest risks weakening the plant and getting a large number of clusters with small, underdeveloped berries.

To develop and bear fruit, the bushes must be properly tied throughout the growing season. The vine should be positioned horizontally, and the stems should be tied from it at intervals. It is unacceptable to lower the brushes to the ground, so the shoots are tied at a level of 250-300 mm from the ground level.

Irrigation

The hybrid does not tolerate waterlogged soil - this leads to cracking of the berries, rotting of the roots, and damage to the plants by pests and diseases. The soil under the plants should always remain moist, but not wet. As it dries, watering is repeated. It is recommended to install a drip irrigation system under the plants; it will allow you to add nutrients to the water and deliver them directly to the roots.

The minimum dose of watering is 20-30 liters per plant. Only use warm water from the tank. To ensure ventilation, weeds should not be allowed to grow between rows and under bushes; to prevent their growth, it is recommended to mulch the soil with straw.

Recharge

All stages of plant feeding are carried out according to a certain scheme:

• Early spring is the period when bushes expel green mass. At this time, it is especially important to feed the bushes with nitrogen compounds. Manure, bird droppings - these ingredients are added to the soil in the pre-winter period, and when the weather warms up, nutrients flow to the roots.
• Before flowering, the bushes are fed with potassium compounds. It is recommended to water the plants with a solution of 30 g of sodium nitrate diluted in a bucket of water.
• The beginning of fruiting - plants need phosphorus feeding. 40 g of superphosphate is dissolved in 10 liters of water and watered the plants.

Bushes weakened by diseases or pests can be fed using ready-made nutrient formulations for foliar feeding of plants.

Prevention and protection of the Irinka variety

Preventive and sanitary treatments of plants should be carried out at the first signs of disease and according to the gardener’s calendar.

Disease Prevention

Let's take a closer look at ways to combat the main diseases of grapes.

Mildew and oidium

Mildew is a disease that must be combated before the first signs appear. Preventive treatment of bushes with solutions of copper-based fungicides helps with this. According to reviews from gardeners, the drugs “Ridomil” and “Ordana” are especially popular, but it is better to contact the manager of a garden store for advice. The industry produces new, effective drugs every season, so it is necessary to choose the best option to combat the disease.

For treatments against oidium, sulfur-based compounds are used, among them “Quadris” and “Tilt”.

Phylloxera

This variety is susceptible to microscopic pest damage. Failure to provide assistance leads to the complete destruction of the bushes on the site. Pests attack all parts of the plant, sucking out the life-giving sap and limiting the nutrition of the bush. For preventive treatments, contact insecticides “Zolon”, “Konfidor”, “Marshal” are used.

Wasps

Against these striped aggressors, you will need to cover each hand in a cloth or mesh bag or treat them with a soda solution. The wasp will not suck out such berries. Wasps get away from the smell of smoke, so it is recommended to treat the brushes with Sochva or another solution of liquid smoke.

Inexperienced gardeners recommend destroying insect nests, but such treatment will not bring much benefit, but more harm. The wasp is a natural enemy of many garden pests, which significantly reduces their numbers in the garden. Therefore, it is better to scare away wasps or protect the berries with a bag than to destroy a beneficial insect.

Birds

The same situation is with birds.Birds love the sweet juice and pulp of berries, but actively fight insects. To eliminate the problem, all kinds of repellers, tied ribbons or scarecrows help.

How to prepare and cover grapes for the winter

To prepare the vineyard for winter, the bushes must be pruned, watered with 20-30 liters of water, a nutritious organic solution added to the soil and the plants covered with covering material or wooden shields. It is not recommended to use polyethylene or linoleum for shelter.

You can use burlap wrapping or covering the bushes with a layer of straw. But mice will definitely hibernate in the straw, which can damage the young bark and rhizome of the bush.

Harvest and use

Harvesting is carried out in mid-August, 120-130 days after the start of the bush's growing season. The brushes can easily withstand transportation and storage, but the harvest must be placed in small boxes. The Gift to Irina grape is a table variety. Therefore, it is used for fresh consumption and for preparing all kinds of fruit drinks, juices, jams and preserves.

Conclusion

The hybrid grape variety Gift to Irina will allow gardeners to grow a harvest of up to 15 kg of sweet pink fruits. But it is necessary to follow all the rules and recommendations for growing and caring for the crop. The work is not difficult, but requires care and responsibility. Only in this case can you get large clusters with beautiful berries.